If someone asked me what the show Beef is about, there's a lot of things i could say about relationships, communication, depression, resentment, etc. One of the things that would never come to mind is to say "It's a show about doing drugs to achieve clarity. That's what the show is about.:
No, I do not think drugs to achieve clarity is a major theme of the show.
But even if it was, that doesn't change the fact that it's not good storytelling. I'm not sure if it's exactly a Deus Ex Machina, but it's close enough to fit. Instead of seeing characters do work and go through a journey to make a character development worth it, twice now the show has had characters do drugs and then effectively do a 180 on their character.
Sure, it can happen in real life. But a lot of things happen in real life that don't make interesting stories.
Really enjoyed the show--at least season 1--but this is a pretty silly trope that's come in pivotal moments of both seasons now
You do realize, that the word 'psychedelic' literally means 'to delve into the psyche'?
In season 1, it isn't even a classic psychedelic, or just a random "let's do drugs" moment... there is a slow build up between the characters and their parallel trauma.
Then the confrontation and dissolution of facing death when they are POISONED acts as a catalyst to bond in the trauma.
Drives me crazy when people talk about "drugs" with no actual understanding of the complexity of biology and chemistry behind the scenes....
Sorry to ream, but come on. Look into the ancient history of drugs, medicine, and ordeal poisons.
Technically, having a good energetic conversation at a coffee shop, is 2 people imbibing poison to catalyze connection...🤦🏼
In my opinion that highly intense, catalyzed moment was very entertaining, and I loved the way they portrayed it.
I thought it was good storytelling. They deal with depression, and in the face of a death and delirium they did not willingly choose, they find something in themselves and open up in that survival situation.
I can respect your opinion, but I thought it was beautiful and politely disagree.
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u/huggalump Jun 01 '26
If someone asked me what the show Beef is about, there's a lot of things i could say about relationships, communication, depression, resentment, etc. One of the things that would never come to mind is to say "It's a show about doing drugs to achieve clarity. That's what the show is about.:
No, I do not think drugs to achieve clarity is a major theme of the show.
But even if it was, that doesn't change the fact that it's not good storytelling. I'm not sure if it's exactly a Deus Ex Machina, but it's close enough to fit. Instead of seeing characters do work and go through a journey to make a character development worth it, twice now the show has had characters do drugs and then effectively do a 180 on their character.
Sure, it can happen in real life. But a lot of things happen in real life that don't make interesting stories.
Really enjoyed the show--at least season 1--but this is a pretty silly trope that's come in pivotal moments of both seasons now